How to Become a Court Interpreter In Illinois
To become a court interpreter in Illinois, you must complete a certification process managed by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). e steps are as follows:
Orientation: Attend a mandatory two-day orientation that covers the interpreter's role, professional ethics, modes of interpreting used in court, legal terminology, and court protocol. This orientation is open to individuals aged 18 or older with native-like proficiency in English and a second language.
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Written Examination: Pass a written exam that assesses English proficiency, legal terminology knowledge, understanding of court procedures, and ethical decision-making. The exam consists of 135 multiple-choice questions and lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes. Candidates can choose to take this exam either before or after attending the orientation. For training resources to help you prepare, visit Interpretrain.com
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Oral Examination: After completing the orientation and passing the written exam, take the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) oral exam, which tests skills in sight translation, consecutive interpreting, and simultaneous interpreting The exam is available in 22 languages. To be listed as "Certified" on the AOIC Court Interpreter Registry, a score of 70% or higher is required; a score between 60% and 69% qualifies for a "Registered" status. For training resources to help you prepare, visit Interpretrain.com
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Application: Upon passing the necessary exams, submit an application to become certified, qualified or registered with the Supreme Court of Illinois. Successful candidates will be included in a statewide registry accessible to all circuit courts in Illinois.
For detailed information on the certification process, including upcoming orientation and testing dates, fees, and registration deadlines, please visit the AOIC's official website. (illinoiscourts.gov)
If you have further questions or need assistance, you can contact the AOIC's Language Access Program directly. (illinoiscourts.gov)